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Finding an O/U Shotgun

Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:01 am
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13499 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:01 am
I'm in the market for a good, probably pre-owned O/U shotgun. I'm in Shreveport and it seems like the stores around here carry the same basic Browning model and the pawn shops have junk. I've always wanted a Beretta 686, either the Silver Pigeon or White Onyx, but never see either one on the shelf.

Ideally I'd like to at least shoulder the gun first to make sure it fits, so I'm a little hesitant about buying on gunbroker. And bayoushooter doesn't have many shotguns for sale.

Do I need to just suck it up and drive to the Beretta Gallery in Dallas or is there a good way for finding a deal on an O/U that I haven't considered yet?
Posted by tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
6978 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:07 am to
Give wick a minute. He's an O/U guru I believe.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:30 am to
I know the sxs shotguns much better than the o/u shotguns. Have you handled any Beretta shotguns? What are the plans for the gun, what type of shooting? I think that most Berettas have a standard dimensions and are very highly regarded guns. A used gun will hold its value and last multiple lifetimes. Do you have a budget?
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13499 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:38 am to
quote:

Have you handled any Beretta shotguns?

Only an AL391 Extrema that a friend owns; it fits me very well.
quote:

What are the plans for the gun, what type of shooting?

Occasional skeet shooting, less occasional dove hunting. All my family's guns were stolen more than a year ago and I haven't replaced any yet. I feel weird not owning a shotgun and figured it'd be best to buy something that will last forever.
quote:

Do you have a budget?


Retail on the cheapest Beretta 686 is about $2000. That's the top of my budget. I've seen older models on gunbroker go for around $1500, which I'm more comfortable with.
Posted by hogdaddy
Krotz Springs
Member since Feb 2010
5154 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:45 am to
Also check Cabelas Gun Library online.

Cabelas
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:46 am to
Buying online will save you taxes, that is a chunk of money. Sounds like you are looking for a 12 gauge with either 28" or 30" barrels. If you have time it might not be a bad idea to ride over to Dallas just to handle guns. I was in Simmons recently and if memory serves they had some Berettas instock.
Posted by b-rab2
N. Louisiana
Member since Dec 2005
12924 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:48 am to
Looking for the same. Lafayette shooters has some but they are in 30" barrels. I want a 28".
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:55 am to
The key is to knowing what you want, having money ready and watching web sites. I have found that websites with classifieds are much better, price wise, than retailers when looking for used guns. LINK This is more for sxs guns but o/u pop up from time to time...
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12235 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 11:56 am to
Ask Joe Biden.

Uncle Joe
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:03 pm to
Number of guns listed on Guns International LINK
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28754 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:06 pm to
I have a 686 with 26" barrels. I love that gun.

I found it several years ago used in a gun shop.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:12 pm to
Barrel length is really nothing more than personal preference. Shorter barreled guns tend to be more whippy where longer barreled guns, depending on the balance, can feel like they start and stop slower. Many people also tend to like the longer sight plane with the longer barrels. Clays shooters tend to like longer barrels. My best shooting sxs has 26" barrels. On the used market shorter barrels tend to sell at a discount to longer barrels.
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13499 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 12:43 pm to
quote:

Number of guns listed on Guns International

Nice! I had never visited that one. Found plenty of good guns at good prices.
Posted by Charter n Coke
Member since Jan 2013
2786 posts
Posted on 2/25/13 at 1:07 pm to
I have one similar to this

BTW this is one of the rare SKB made models. Its the "classic field" edition. The Japanese made model was much better than the italian
This post was edited on 2/25/13 at 1:09 pm
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13499 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:03 pm to
I'm doing way too much thinking about this purchase. Now I'm leaning toward either a cheap auto Beretta A300 Outlander or the O/U Stoeger for $400. In all likelihood I'll shoot it a dozen times a year and don't really need an heirloom gun at age 28.

Stoeger:


Beretta A300:
This post was edited on 2/26/13 at 2:05 pm
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
95795 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:05 pm to
quote:

I've always wanted a Beretta 686, either the Silver Pigeon or White Onyx, but never see either one on the shelf.


I will just toss out another to consider - Ruger Red Label - sweet shooters, though I know some people fine them a little stiffer to operate and may have troublesome ejectors - I never had the problem in well broken in guns.

ETA: I'd still buy a White Lightning if I was buying one today, but if really crunched for money that Stoeger would definitely get a look from me.
This post was edited on 2/26/13 at 2:08 pm
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
72255 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:08 pm to
I have a stoeger uplander .410. It is FAR from the level of "niceness" as the $1000+ rigs. The triggers suck, no ejectors, and the fit/finish is acceptable at best.

It is however a $300 gun that points and shoots very well. To grade a $300 gun on the same plane as $1000 guns just ain't right. I think that it is a fantastic shotgun considering the price.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28754 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:12 pm to
Look at the CZ o/u also. They seem to be very nice guns. I almost pulled the trigger on a .28 a few months ago.
Posted by pooponsaban
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2008
13494 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:28 pm to
I have a Yildiz. I like it except that it is bent and doesn't shoot straight.

Around $400 and the trigger and selector are smooth. Never had an issue with the ejector either.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46380 posts
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:32 pm to
quote:

Ruger Red Label


I thought they were discontinued... The 28's felt good, the others felt like a 2x4 to me...
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